My daughter and I were so engrossed with the classic literature Heidi by Johanna Spyri that I cried while we were finishing the story. I’ve never read the book as a young girl but I was a fan or the cartoon show back in the 80’s.
As we picture the beautiful place that Heidi longed for after staying with the Sesemann in Frankfurt, we browsed the internet to look for photos of Switzerland, particularly the Swiss Alps. Who wouldn’t want to live in that place forever? Snow-capped mountains, white clouds embellishing the beautiful blue sky and the greenery is truly the best place to be!
I so envy a friend who is based in Switzerland. She and her family are enjoying all of this majestic view and the Swiss chocolates too 🙂
I was busy one Friday morning so husband took over school that day. Since it was supposedly an art day my husband was able to find an old art curriculum. He used this curriculum back when he was still teaching in a special school. Good thing I kept it for I knew the kids and I would be using it in the future.
When I came into the room I found them already starting a project. My husband found the Log Cabin project in the curriculum. My daughter needed help in a few areas but overall it was one easy project for a 7-year-old. All of a sudden I remembered Heidi. Then my daughter became more excited as she and her Papa completed Heidi and Grandfather’s log cabin.
What you need:
- Brown paper bag/grocery bags
- White glue
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Plate or board paper or cardboard
Cut your paper bags into 4-inch squares. Get your pencil and roll one square around the pencil. Don’t forget to glue the end of the paper then remove the pencil. Continue rolling the sheets until you make about 16 cylinders or logs. We did not follow exactly the number of logs and you can do that as well. You can make the initial squares bigger or smaller, your preference.
Use the paper plate, board paper or cardboard as your base. Arrange the first four logs at the corner. Glue them together and on your base. Glue a second row of logs on the top of the first and continue building upward until your cabin is about four logs high.
Roll smaller logs that are 1 or 1/2 inch smaller than your first set of logs to make logs for the first row that will taper to the roof. Then make three more pairs of logs with each pair shorter than the last. Glue them at opposite ends of the cabin. Glue longer ones on first and taper to the roofline.
Get another brown paper for your roof. Adjust the size to fit your cabin and glue it on the top logs. Then you can add a door, windows, chimney or even a porch step.
Tada! Heidi and Grandfather’s log cabin in the Swiss Alps 🙂
Create your own log cabin with your kids. Take a photo and tag the Inspirited Mom on Facebook. While you’re at it, you can like my Inspirited Mom’s Facebook page too. Happy logging!
